Farm Business Development Scheme

The FBDS is a business development scheme designed for farmers and their immediate family members. The scheme is funded by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD).

The FBDS can provide grant assistance toward the development of new diversification enterprises or the expansion of existing diversification enterprises either on or off farm. Projects must have the potential to increase the overall income for applicants and should be self sustaining.

To be eligible, you must have been actively involved in agriculture for a minimum of two years as either an owner occupier or tenant. The scheme is open to full or part time farmers running an eligible agricultural business, and is also open to immediate family members residing on or adjacent to the agricultural unit.

For up to the minute information on this subject visit Grants.

The maximum grant assistance is £25,000 per eligible business, except for collaborative projects which have a maximum level of assistance of £30,000. Applicants may submit more than one application. If approved, project awards will be aggregated and restricted to the maximum available to the eligible agricultural business.

The level of grant awarded to non-agricultural diversification projects is up to
50%. Diversification within agriculture is restricted to a maximum grant rate of
up to 50% for projects within Less Favoured Areas (LFA’s) and up to 40% in non LFA's

In addition to capital grants, approved training for successful projects may be grant aided at a rate of up to 50% of agreed training costs.

Agricultural Processing and Marketing Grants Scheme

Assistance may also be available for farm businesses towards the processing and marketing of agricultural produce.

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